General Imama in Nahj al-Balagha

Imama and leading a society as a vital and fundamental subject is frequently mentioned by Imam Ali in both sermons and letters of Nahj al- Balagha. Contents of such sermons and letters can be categorized in two parts of “General Imama” and “Particular Imama.” The present essay is centered on the first topic, i.e., general Imama which includes generalities of Imama and does not focus on the determination of Imam Ali as the objective instance of an Imam whose following is mandatory. Discussions of general Imama are taken into consideration in 40 positions in Nahj al-Balagha dealing with such subjects as the concept of Imama, rights and duties of the Imam, necessary need of society to the Imam, necessary qualities of an Imam whose following is mandatory, the status of explicitly appointment of the Imam, and mutual duties of Imam and umma. Dealing with survey of those subjects in the mirror of Nahj al- Balagha, the present essay clarifies that among three groups of twelver Shiites, Sunnite traditionalists, and Mu’tazila, it is the Shiite perspective which is closest to the teachings of Imam Ali on general Imama.